pdizzle

I just dug this out of my friends garage, it looks really sweet and I want to restore it. Problem is, I have no idea where to start. The only hard to fix problem I can see that needs to be taken care of is the lack of a left crank arm. It appears to have simply broken off. I would appreciate any help or advice I could get as to what to look for in new cranks, the best way to remove serious rust, and suggestions on what to fix/change.

First and foremost, I need to know how to replace/repair the cranks. This is a Chiorda folding bike (possibly called a dingo or safari, not really sure) and looks to be from the 60's or early 70's. More pictures and info if needed.

pdizzle

Anyone? I don't know what to look for in new cranks, what size, type etc? Or could I find just a left one?

kpug505

Finding the correct cranks for that is gonna be a long shot.......I have almost the same bike but it's branded as a Bianchi. I've been told on the forums here when asking about upgrades that they have pressed in bottom bracket cups. Not threaded. Also I think (even though I haven't confirmed) that it is an Italian width bottom bracket. So I've been thinking maybe I could re-use the cups and what not and try to find a spindle for a square taper crankset and stick it in there. Mines not broken yet so I'm not gonna fix it....Another option I've thought about is a sleeve. Baylis Wiley (I think that's how you spell it) used to make a threaded sleeve to put into old English roadsters that didn't have threads or had messed up threads. You had to ream out the bottom bracket hole though. They pop up on ebay every once in awhile. Problem is the bottom bracket is a different width. Even if you did find a correct replacement arm I'm guessing the correct cotter would be REALLY hard to find. Ya never know though. I've found some pretty hard to get stuff using online translators and different countries ebay's too.....Of course the easiest thing to do would be have a bike shop thread that sucker for you if in fact it's not already....Then you could buy an Italian bottom bracket and a new crankset and be on you merry way. Not sure if the next option would work but alot of BMX's are using what is called a "Spanish" bottom bracket. The bearings press into the frame after a careful facing. If you got a boutique BMX shop that carries high end stuff like S&M or Fly and has a huge case with color matched parts you might want to ask them about it. At this point I'd measure the width of the bottom bracket shell, the spindle and the I.D of the shell. And also determine if it is in fact un-threaded. Then go from there. Best of luck!

Kelly D

Squeazel

My Bianchi looks quite a bit like that, too. The biggest difference is that my cranks are two-piece, with the left crank clamping around a splined axle. After taking apart the bottom bracket and finding that the shell is unthreaded, I measured the shell to be exactly an Italian shell, except with no threads! When I need a new crank, I'll probably just have a bike shop thread it to Italian standard and install a standard BB and crank. You may get lucky and find that your shell has already been threaded- I heard that some of the Bianchi's were threaded even though the cups were later pressed in- in which case your crank replacement should be straightforward.

Then it's just a matter of cleaning up the rust- copper wool with a little weak oxalic acid works wonders on the chrome- and finding a chainguard to fit. Here's a before-after pic of mine- I still need some fenders to finish it:

gr23932

Looks really cool! I just got my hands on one that looks a lot like yours, yet the decals say "Dino Special." It complete with fenders and chain guard and light. It's in pretty bad shape but I'm going to give it a good cleaning and polish. Where did you get the rims?